JAPANESE ART > UKIYO-E WOODBLOCK PRINTS > THE LOYAL RETAINER NORIKANE

Lot 00958
N.1 ukiyo-e woodblock print

Utagawa Yoshitora

THE LOYAL RETAINER NORIKANE

Year: 1864
Condition: signs of aging
Size: 18 x 25 cm

SOLD

The young Yato Emoshichi Norikane (矢頭右衛門七教兼), depicted here fighting during the legendary assault of the forty-seven ronin (四十七士) on the residence of Kira Yoshinaka (吉良義央), was adept with sword and spear, and courageous with a heroic quality even greater than that of his father who had passed away a short time before and which Norikane wanted to replace by participating in the famous revenge.

This beautiful woodblock print, made by the artist Utagawa Yoshitora (歌川芳虎), is the syllable "Se" (せ) from the series "Biographies of Loyal and Dutiful Retainers" (忠臣義士銘々伝), commonly referred to by the translation "The Story of the Faithful Samurai in The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers", and is entitled "Sato Yomoshichi Taira no Norikane" (佐藤興茂七平教兼).

The work, printed in May 1864 by the publisher Wakasaya Yoichi (若狭屋与市), owner of Jakurindo (若林堂), has evident signs of aging, including some woodworm holes as well as imperfections, stains and creases on the margins.

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